No Longer Looking: Part 1
by Anjie
Disclaimer: The following story is intended for entertainment purposes only. This document can be freely distributed with the condition that no part of the text is modified, and this notice is included with all copies.
Some characters and elements of this story are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy and are used without authorization. No copyright infringement is intended. The author receives no compensation from the distribution of this work. Any comments or criticism would be welcome.
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Part One
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"Ah. Nothing like the flavour of an honest, hard working Watcher. Somehow their knowledge of us makes them taste better, comparable to a Slayer, and SO much easier." The vampire smiled, dropping her prey to the ground and brushing her long ginger hair out of her face to look more clearly at her companion. "Well? You gonna stand there all night? We’ve got work to do."
"Sorry."
"And? You know what you’ve got to do. Get going!"
"But Mistress, I don’t understand. You want me to go after the ghrian, while you take a mere Watcher?"
"Yes, I do. I fail to see what you don’t understand."
"Forgive me, it was merely confusion. I understand. I will do as you wish."
"Well, go on then!" exclaimed the ginger haired vampire, impatiently.
* * *
"Well, I, uh, think tonight might be time for one of those nights off you’re always so fond of nagging me about, Buffy."
"Giles, are you feeling OK? You do realise the implications of what you just said?" gasped Buffy. "What am I saying? See you tomorrow, Giles!"
"Well there doesn’t seem to be any… ah, right, goodnight." Giles shook his head as he watched Buffy dive out of the library.
"Hey guys," grinned Buffy, finding Xander and Willow hovering near a vending machine.
"Hi Buffy," smiled Willow brightly.
Xander thumped the vending machine, then turned to face his friends. "Hey."
"So what’s up?" asked Willow. "You have that extra excited look."
"Giles gave me the night off, my Mom’s out of town… I’m just contemplating the possibilities."
* * *
Giles looked up from his book, wondering what he had heard. "Buffy? Is that you? Willow?" He shrugged and turned back to his book. "Must be the wind," he decided.
"Hardly, Watcher," replied a female voice with a slight Scottish accent.
"Oh, err. Who are you?"
* * *
Willow, Buffy and Xander walked into the library.
"Giles? Giles!" called Buffy. "Where’s he gone? This is of the strange. Giles not in the library!"
"Maybe he had to go out," suggested Willow.
"Yeah, coz book-man is such a party animal," quipped Xander.
"Xander!" chided Willow.
"Yes, quite, Willow. I’d thank you for being quiet now, Xander," responded Giles, emerging from the stacks.
"Giles! Where were you?" asked Buffy.
"Oh, just back there. I was, err, cross-referencing somethi…... I have a matter of some urgency which I must discuss with you, Buffy."
"Shoot."
"Alone," said Giles, glaring meaningfully at Willow and Xander.
"Oh, uh," began Willow, looking flustered.
"C’mon, Will. We know when we’re not wanted." Xander shot a confused glance at Giles, then followed Willow out of the library.
"So, what was that all about? I’ve never seen Giles that wiggy," muttered Xander.
"Stress?" suggested Willow.
"Will, he’s a Watcher. He’s British. He’s permanently stressed, I don’t think he’d notice."
"Err, I don’t know. I can’t think of anything. My whole brain’s a big blank. Maybe they have something on the web that…"
"… Will? I think it might be a little easier to wait for Buffy and ask her."
"Oh, right. Ask Buffy. That makes sense. So we’re waiting then. Here."
"Yeah," agreed Xander. "One of my fortes, standing and waiting. Requiring no actual useful thought."
"We could try and do some homework while we’re waiting?" suggested Willow.
"I’m sure Buffy won’t be that long. Wanna play I spy?"
Willow giggled. "Sure."
* * *
Xander yawned. "I spy with my little, very bored, eye, something beginning with C."
"Corridor. Again," mumbled Willow.
"Where can she be? I don’t like this. We gotta go in and see what’s going on." Xander hauled himself up off the floor.
"But Giles sent us out. What if he’s still talking to Buffy?"
"Will, he could’ve read her an entire encyclopaedia by now. You worry way too much."
"OK," sighed Willow.
Xander burst back into the library, half expecting to be confronted by an angry Giles, or even Buffy, still having their private discussion. The library appeared empty. "They pulled a disappearing act. Giles is getting pretty good at this, maybe he should consider a career as a magician. Although, on the other hand, that’d be way too dangerous. All those rabbits? The nips they can…"
"Xander! What are you doing here?"
"Odd question, Giles. Are you OK? Is there something you’re not telling us?"
"Xander, for once in your life would you mind your own business," exclaimed Giles.
"Oh, uh, sorry Giles. We’ll come back, umm, later," stuttered Willow nervously, already backing out of the room.
"No we won’t!" objected Xander, grabbing Willow’s arm before she could leave.
"We won’t?" asked Willow, surprised.
"No. After all we’ve done, the hours we’ve put in. I’d say we deserve an explanation for this. You can’t just shut us out when you feel like it!" Xander began to rant.
"Xander, I-I… Willow?" Giles took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Do you think you could get me a coffee?"
"Oh, sure," replied Willow, relieved.
Xander glanced at the door as Willow left, then turned back to face Giles. "Well. Explanation? You remember, the part where you explain to the rest of us what’s going on."
"Ah, yes," said Giles, turning away. "Actually, this time the explanation is surprisingly simple."
"That’s a switch."
"It is rather." Giles turned back to face Xander, forcefully grabbing his shoulder as he did so.
"G-Giles?" Xander stammered in surprise.
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